Combination tool case and sawhorse



Dec. 22, 1953 R. B. FRAY I COMBINATION TOOL CASE AND SAWHORSE Filed July16, 1951 INVEN TOR.

Robe/7 51 Fm] BY A77'DRNEK //Z YT Patented Dec. 22, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE Application July 16, 1951, Serial No. 237,040

' 2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to equipment for use by carpenters and likeartisans, and has for its primary object the provision of a tool chestor case that is quickly and easily convertible into a sawhorse and atthe same time presenting the tools of the chest to theworkmen for easyaccess.

It is another object of this invention to provide a portable assemblythat includes a pair of hingedly interconnected, tool-receiving panels,each of which includes parts that cooperate when the panels are swung inone direction to enclose a plurality of tools and operable when thepanels are swung in the opposite direction away from each other inconnection with releasable holding means therefor to present a strong,rigid sawhorse or working bar.

leasable end plates are provided for joining the sections of the casewhen the same are swung to an open condition operable as supporting legsfor the sawhorse; the manner in which a pair of opposed hinges areprovided on the sections for joining the same with the aforesaid commonend wall; the manner in which a relatively large number of tools may bemounted within the case; and many more minor objects, all of which willbecome clear as the following specification progresses, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination tool case and sawhorseillustrating its position when used as a sawhorse.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, substantially central, cross-sectional viewillustrating the case in a closed condition.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the innermost face of one of the casesections showing some of the tools mounted therein; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, detailed, cross-sectionalview showing one of thereleasable fastening elements for the end plates of the sawhorse.

The combined assembly of the present invention embodies a shallow,tool-receiving case broadly designated by the numeral shown in theclosed condition in Fig. 2 of the drawing and 61.! in the open conditionby Fig. 1, adapting the same for use as a sawhorse.

Case ID includes a pair of substantially identical sections l2 and .14,each or which in turn consists of a flat, polygonal panel We, a pair ofelongated, relatively narrow, opposed side walls 18 and a single,elongated, relatively narrow end wall 20 joining the side walls is atone end thereof. The two side walls [8, as well as the end wall 20, aresecured rigidly to the corresponding panel l6 and such reinforcement asL.-shaped brackets 22 may be provided on the innermost faces of walls 18and 2B and panels it as may be desired.

The sections 82 and I4 are provided with a common end wall opposite tothe walls is that comprises an elongated member or bar 24; having a hole25, presenting a handle. The thickness of the member 24 is preferablygreater than that of either of the panels it or the side and end walls18 and 20 and as illustrated in Fig. 2 0i the drawing, the width of theelongated member is twice that of the two end walls 2G. The length ofthe member 24 is preferably substantially the same as .the distancebetween the outermost faces of side walls I8. Each panel H3 extends asat 26 at that end thereof opposite to end wall 20 slightly beyond theproximal ends of side walls !8, and an elongated hinge 28 connected withsuch extension 26 and with a corresponding longitudinal edge of themember 24, swingably secures the panels I 6 to the member 24. In otherwords, there is provided a pair of hinges 28 for connecting the member24 to the sections 5 2 and M in opposed relationship to the end walls29.

It is seen that the extensions 26 are coextensive in length with themember 24 and are of substantially the same width as the thickness ofthe member 24. Accordingly, when the sections (2 and I4 are swung towardeach other in one direction to the condition illustrated in Fig. 2 ofthe drawing, all of the side walls it, as well as the two end walls 20,are in abutting interengagement and the extensions 26 are in overlappingrelationship to the longitudinal edges of the member 24, therebypresenting a completely closed tool-receiving chest or case.

In order to adapt the hollow body H! for use as a sawhorse or work tablein a manner illustrated by Fig. 1 of the drawing, the sections 52 and I4are swung on the member 24 by means of hinges 28, away from the positionshown by Fig. 2 of the drawing with the sections i2 and Id divergingdownwardly from the member 24. In order to hold the sections !2 and 14against 3 movement toward and away from each other while the unit isused as a sawhorse, there is provided a pair of flat plates 30releasably secured to the side walls I 8 of the sections l2 and 14.

One type of releasable fastening element is illustrated in detail byFig. 4 of the drawing and designated broadly by the numeral 32. Element32 is carried by the plate 30 through the medium of an opening 34 in thelatter and held in place by a smallbolt'ior' the like 351 A; pair ofsemispherica'l'; resilient elements 33, forming a part of the fastener32, is wedged into a cavity 40 formed in the corresponding side wall It,the ele'- ments 38 being normally biased; apartrwhen the plates 30 arestored within the body H! as illustrated with respect to (me of suchplatesa afiriniFig; 1 of the drawing.

Suitable opposed guides 42' within" one of" the sections l2-i serve toreceive the plates-32 when. the same are not in use to support thesections !2 and le in the manner, shown by- Rig. 1 of: the drawing.

Suitable. arrangement may provided within theesections t2 it andparticularly on the panels: it thereof to receivevarious types-of toolsincluding hammers, screwdrivers, saws and. the like, Suchstructureis=illustrateddnpart Figs. 2 3 of the drawing, but since the,sam'esferm no. particular part of. the present invention, it neednot be,further described. It. can well: be preciated that the panels: 55. arecapable of re oeivinga relatively large. number of tools and-that whenthe sections. i2, andhi: are swung to: the condition shown by Fig. l ofthe drawing; all of these toolswillbein full View andreadily acces sibieto the workman providing meansfcr mounting of. the tools onthev panels;iii the unit may beusad-Vas azsawhorse or. the likewitheutcthe necessityof first, removing all of thertoolssfrom the body Lil prior to opening,thesame and con ditioning: the: unit for: use as: sawhorse;

Having; thus described the; invention what is claimed: as newanddesiredtolbesecured by Lete tersPatentis:

1.. A- combination tool caseand sawhorse come prising a pair ofcomplementary, shallow, toolreceiving case sections adapted fordisposition in edge-to-edge interengagement; an elongated member commonto the sections and forming. one end wall thereof, said member having aninner and an outer flat surface when the case sections are closed; hingemeans for each section respectively and joining the same to said member;and releasable means joining the sections for holding the same ina-position diverging downwardly from said member'when the sections areswung apart on said hinge means away from said edge-to-edgeinterengagement and When said inner surface of themember'faces:upwardly.

2. A combination tool case and sawhorse comprising as hollow body havinga pair of opposed panels; each. panel being provided with a pair ofspaced side walls and one end wall joining the side walls; an elongatedmember between the panels; hinge means mounted on each longitudina-ledgej respectivelyof the: member and-joined with-'oorresponding; panels;saidmember presenting a second end wall; closing thebody when thepanelsareswungthereondto a position with their sidev walls'and theoneendwail thereof in edgeto-edgeabutment, said member: having: an. innerand-an outer flat. surface. whenthepanels are in said position gandaplate'having releasable-means of. attachment to one sidewall of eachpanel re spectively' when: the panels areswung away from said positionto-hold the-panelsin aposition diverging downwardly irom; the memberwithsaid inner surface-of thermember facing upwardly.

ROBERT E vFEM! References Cited in thefileiofr this patent UNITED;STATES PATENTS:

Number Name Date 522,237 Sexton July 3, I894 19104266 B'rouner Jan. 24,1922 1,604,82e I-I0en= Oct. 26; 1926 1960,0735 Warner May 22, 193% 2,4Z8,'8-28 Larson Aug. 9; I949

